Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for my appointment?
In the majority of cases no special preparation is required for
basic audiology services other than assuring that your ears are
clear of wax prior to your appointment. Your family physician
will likely clean the ear canals if wax is present prior to sending
you for a test. If specialized diagnostic testing is required you
will receive specific instructions prior to the test.
Are there any risks to testing?
The risk of complication is very low for all tests. Any inserts
or probe tips placed in the ear canal are made of soft materials.
All of the sounds presented during testing are presented at a safe
volume. Patients having a
VNG/ENG test may experience some brief dizziness.
How long will the appointment be?
An initial hearing test is generally between 30 - 60 minutes in length. Subsequent visits for rechecks are usually shorter. Special diagnostic tests may be longer, depending on your symptoms or needs:
- ABR 45 minutes
- ENG/VNG 2 - 2.5 hours
- Full APD testing 2 - 3 hours
What will happen when the testing is finished?
In the majority of cases, the audiologist will be able to give
you a full report on the status of your hearing at the end of your
appointment in terms of type and degree of
hearing loss and sometimes will be able to explain the cause.
You will receive appropriate counselling on your test results and
any relating issues, and have your questions and concerns
addressed. The audiologist will usually be able to inform you of
any follow-up recommendations before you leave the
department.
Who can refer for audiology testing?
- Health-care professionals (physicians, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, etc.)
- Educational professionals (teachers, resource teachers, etc.)
- Self/Parents/Caregivers (self-referrals are now accepted at all sites)
- Click here for contact information for each of our facilities